If you’ve been a regular at Italian restaurant Fratini la Trattoria, you would’ve noticed a change this year. A young Singaporean couple — Chomel Yang and Januver Chow, both 25 — has taken over the reins at the Hillcrest Park space. Helming the kitchen is Yang, who started off baking homemade cakes and selling them to pay off her tuition fees at Nanyang Technological University. This small taste of success prompted her to pursue a course at Le Cordon Bleu in London, and after graduation, she set her sights on Fratini la Trattoria.
The no-menu concept at the restaurant remains the same — don’t bother asking for a list of items you can order, because there’s none. But what you will get is friendly service and questions about your dietary restrictions and preferences, followed by an unpredictable line-up of seven to ten courses for lunch ($60) and more than ten courses for dinner ($90). Previously only limited to Central Italian cuisine, now the dishes also include recipes from the North and South regions. And the daily menu is planned according to whatever seasonal produce is available at the market.
Upon visiting, you’ll be treated to everything from scallops and lamb chops to truffle pasta and tiramisu — and it comes up to a rather hearty, value-for-money meal. Plus, the lack of menus takes away the stress of wondering if you ordered the right dish, since everything here is decided for you. So if you’re an adventurous eater or even an indecisive diner, this experience could be right up your alley.
Just in time for Christmas season, the restaurant is offering takeaway packages that include stewed lamb shank with purple sweet potato ($30) and roasted chicken wrapped with parma ham ($22) for those who are planning to throw festive parties at home.
Fratini la Trattoria is at Hillcrest Park, 10 Greenwood Ave. Tue-Sun noon-1.45pm, 6pm-8.45pm.
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